Swing for lawns or patios

ABSTRACT

A lightweight sturdy swing structure embodies a support frame and swing seat suspension means which can be easily assembled and dismantled without tools. An optional floating canopy is provided for mounting on the flexible suspension elements of the swing. The device is formed of materials which is weather-resistant, durable and easy to clean.

United States Patent [191 Siler 1 SWING FOR LAWNS OR PATIOS [76] Inventor: Robert W. Siler, Williamsburg, Ky.

[22] Filed: May 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 146,678

[52] US. Cl. 272/85, 297/273 [51] Int. Cl .uifiiqttnuaiy. A63g 9/Q9 [58] Field of Search 272/85-92; 297/273282 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,734 5/1963 Grudoski 272/85 709,281 9/1902 Tuttle 272/89 1,371,197 3/1921 Couch 272/92 1,744,594 1/1930 Trzesniewski.. 272/85 UX 2,784,765 3/1957 Morrissette 272/89 2,912,044 11/1959 Giffen 297/274 X [4 Oct. 16, 1973 3,141,670 7/1964 Smymi et a1 272/85 X 3,161,893 12/1964 Siler 272/85 X 3,580,571 1/1969 Green 272/85 3,462,195 8/1969 Allen 272/85 X Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerTheatrice Brown Attorney-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver [5 7] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 16, 1973 3,765,674

II/II. VII/I1 IN VEN TOR ROBE/i7" W. S/LE/a WM zwww A TTOR/VEKS SWING FOR LAWNS R PATIOS The object of the invention is to provide an outdoor swing structure which is very economical and extremely easy to assemble and disassemble without tools so that it will appeal to the individual user and will be practical for packaging, shipping and storage. The invention is thought to be a substantial improvement over the traditional lawn swing customarily formed largely of wooden parts which require painting and are not weather-resistant and easy to clean. The present swing structure employs materials which may be wiped off with any detergent and which will resist deterioration out-of-doors. The swing structure is thought to be ideal for a lawn or patio as well as in public parks, convalescent homes and the like. The structure is comfortable and safe and includes an optional overhead canopy and a removable footrest. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a swing structure embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along the axis of one of the flexible suspension elements of the swing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through one end of a removable footrest and associated elements.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the footrest and adjoining means.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken on line 66 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same, the numeral 10 designates a swing support frame in its entirety which preferably comprises opposing generally vertical frame sides 11 and 12 and a separable frame top section 13. As shown in the drawings, the frame sides 11 and 12 each comprise a pair of spaced uprights l4 rigidly interconnected by an X-brace l5 welded thereto. The frame top section 13 comprises horizontal divergent bars 16 which are welded securely to a center web 17 to form a rigid construction. Relatively short dependent arm extensions 18 on the top frame section 13 are provided at their lower ends with socket enlargements 19 which telescope over the tops of the uprights 14 detachably as shown in FIG. 6. In this manner, the three frame sections 11, 12 and 13 may be assembled without any tools and the frame can be knocked down readily for storage.

As a base for the erected frame 10, a pair of suitable boards 20 may be provided to rest directly on the ground and socket elements 21 on these boards receive removably the lower ends of the bars or uprights 14 to anchor the frame to the base boards in a stable and secure manner. The entire frame 10 can be formed of aluminum tubing or some other suitable weatherresistant material.

A swing seat or bench 22 is preferably formed entirely of fiberglass reinforced resin or some equivalent material which is resistant to corrosion and to the weather and is easy to clean. The seat 22 is molded into an integral unit including a pair of legs 23 which are suitably rigidly attached to a pair of substantially parallel carrier rails 24 which may be sections of 2X4 lumber or the like. The rails 24 extend forwardly and rearwardly of the seat 22 for considerable distances and are connected near their ends with suspension chains 25. The four chains 25 supporting the long carrier rails 24 in this manner give stability to the swing seat and render it safe and comfortable for swinging. For additional comfort and pleasure, each suspension chain 25 has a spring 26 and safety chain 27 connected therein in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The top link of each chain 25 is suspended from one of the bars 16 by a simple hook element, FIG. 3, as indicated at 28.

The swing structure further embodies an overhead canopy 29 preferably formed of fiberglass and this canopy is an optional feature which may be omitted from the assembly, if preferred. The canopy 29 is supported bodily upon the four chains 25 and moves therewith and is entirely independent of the frame 10 and is therefore directly above the seat 22 in all positions of the latter.

The means for attaching the carrier rails 24 and the canopy 29 to the suspension chains 25 for easy separation and adjustment, when required, forms a unique feature of the invention and renders the device practical for the home user since no tools are required for erecting or dismantling the swing. As shown in FIG. 3, each rail 24 at its point of connection to one of the chains 25 has an opening 30 formed therethrough receiving the chain and a pin fastener 31, such as a nail, has an offset loop 32 which receives one of the chain links, as shown. A flat washer 33 is interposed between the bottom of the rail 24 and the pin fastener for added security. The fastener 31 cannot become accidentally separated from the chain because of the offset loop 32 which projects up into the opening 30 and through the bore of the washer. The washer prevents the pin fastener from digging into the wooden rail 24. The connection is very secure, inexpensive and requires no tools for making or separating. A similar means is employed to support the canopy 29 adjustably on the chains 25. Again referring to FIG. 3, the canopy has an opening 34 at the location of each chain 25 and receiving the latter therethrough. One of the aforementioned pin fasteners 31 with an offset loop engages through a selected link of each chain and one of the flat washers 33 is interposed between the canopy and pin fastener as previously described. Again, no tools whatsoever are required. The canopy can be raised and lowered or separated from the assembly as required by the wishes of the user. All of the parts employed may be formed of rust and corrosion-proof materials for outdoor usage.

The swing structure embodies another feature which renders it more useful and versatile. The feature is embodied in a footrest bar 35 at the front of the seat 22 which is removably mounted on the rails 24 at their forward ends. This mounting is shown clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein each end of the footrest bar carries an elevated mounting plate 36 which may be bolted thereto, and this plate overlaps the adjacent carrier rail 24 and is securely bolted thereto as at 37. The arrangement renders the footrest bar removable at any desired time.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A swing structure comprising a frame including a pair of generally vertical frame sides each forming a unit and a top frame section forming a unit and including bars which tele-scope releasably with bars on said frame sides, a pair of base members for said frame sides having sockets to releasably hold the lower ends of bars forming parts of the frame sides, a swing seat, carrier rails attached to and supporting the swing seat and extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof, said seat and rails arranged between the frame sides and beneath the top frame section, flexible chain suspension elements interconnecting the forward and rear ends of the carrier rails and parts of said top frame section, means rendering said rails and suspension elements quickly connectable and disconnectable without the use of tools, a canopy arranged above the swing seat having openings receiving the chain suspension elements and the pin connectors engaging releasably through selected links of the chain suspension elements beneath the canopy and bodily supporting the weight of the canopy.

2. The structure of claim 1, and the pin connectors formed with lateral loops which project into the openings of the canopy to prevent accidental separation of the pin connectors and said chains.

3. The structure of claim 2 and a washer interposed between each pin connector and the bottom of the adjacent carrier rail, the bore of the washer receiving said lateral loop of the pin connector and the pin connector bearing against the bottom of the washer and being free of direct contact with the rail.

4. The structure of claim 2, and a spring means connected in each suspension chain to provide a resilient mounting for the swing seat.

5. The structure of claim 1, and a footrest bar extending between the forward ends of said carrier rails and removably connected therewith.

6. The structure of claim 1, and said swing seat and canopy each comprising a unitary molded weatherresistant body.

1 7. The structure of claim 1, and said frame formed of lightweight metal tubing. 

1. A swing structure comprising a frame including a pair of generally vertical frame sides each forming a unIt and a top frame section forming a unit and including bars which tele-scope releasably with bars on said frame sides, a pair of base members for said frame sides having sockets to releasably hold the lower ends of bars forming parts of the frame sides, a swing seat, carrier rails attached to and supporting the swing seat and extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof, said seat and rails arranged between the frame sides and beneath the top frame section, flexible chain suspension elements interconnecting the forward and rear ends of the carrier rails and parts of said top frame section, means rendering said rails and suspension elements quickly connectable and disconnectable without the use of tools, a canopy arranged above the swing seat having openings receiving the chain suspension elements therethrough, and pin connectors engaging releasably through selected links of the chain suspension elements beneath the canopy and bodily supporting the weight of the canopy.
 2. The structure of claim 1, and the pin connectors formed with lateral loops which project into the openings of the canopy to prevent accidental separation of the pin connectors and said chains.
 3. The structure of claim 2 and a washer interposed between each pin connector and the bottom of the adjacent carrier rail, the bore of the washer receiving said lateral loop of the pin connector and the pin connector bearing against the bottom of the washer and being free of direct contact with the rail.
 4. The structure of claim 2, and a spring means connected in each suspension chain to provide a resilient mounting for the swing seat.
 5. The structure of claim 1, and a footrest bar extending between the forward ends of said carrier rails and removably connected therewith.
 6. The structure of claim 1, and said swing seat and canopy each comprising a unitary molded weather-resistant body.
 7. The structure of claim 1, and said frame formed of lightweight metal tubing. 